99 Mercury Mountaineer doors dont lock now

[Arctic388]

used to when i would take off the doors would automatically lock. now it doesnt do that. can comeone tell me what to look for to diagnose problem?
166k miles 4.0 V6 2WD

also can someone give me some instructions on how to change the balljoints. the mechanic wanted close to 1000 dollars to do it. i have bought the parts just want detailed instructions.

any help is appreciated

[shorod]

Does your speedometer and cruise control work? How about the ABS brakes? The locks lock when the vehicle sees some speed, 3 mph I think it is. Maybe the speed sensor is faulty. I don't recall if your Mountaineer uses the ABS wheel speed sensors for vehicle speed or if there is a separate vehicle speed sensor on the transmission.

Also, please review the forum guidelines regarding advertising in your signature file and modify your sig accordingly.

-Rod

[Arctic388]

the speedo works and the cruise works.

i am sorry about the sig. it has been a while since i have been on here. i will change.

[shorod]

I was wrong. I pulled up the owner's manual for the 1999 Mountaineer, the Autolock feature works in the following manner:
Autolock
Autolock is a feature that will automatically lock all doors when:
² all vehicle doors, liftgate and liftgate window are fully closed
² the ignition key is in the ON position
² you shift into or through R (Reverse)
² the brake pedal is released

Do you happen to have the owner's manual? If so, check out page 110 for details on how to activate/deactivate the autolock feature.

If you don't have the manual, try to download it here.

As for changing the balljoints, you may be able to get an electronic version of the procedure from the Repair Information portion of the Autozone website. If not, purchase a service manual for your truck (either factory, Alldatadiy, or something like a Haynes or Chilton). If you are willing to get dirty on your truck, it will be money well spent.

-Rod

[Johnny Mullet]

Upper or lower Balljoints?

Either way, here is for the lowers..................

Raise and support vehicle on jackstands so the lower control arms hang free.
Remove the wheels
Remove the brake calipers and pads (removing rotors would help, but up to you.)
Unhook the ABS wire from the brake hose and unplug under inner fender.
Remove the axle nut.
Remove the lower ball joint nut.
Remove upper balljoint pinch bolt and seperate it from spindle.
Using a pickle-fork, seperate the lower ball joint from arm.
Pry down hard on control arm to seperate and push axle through.
Hang the spindle or set it on something so it's out of the way.
Hang axle over swaybar link and tie it up with a bungee.
Remove the snap ring on top of joint.
Hammer the ball joint straight down (use anger if needed) until it comes out.
Use a ball joint press and press in new joint (don't forget snap ring!)

***Redneck Tech Tip***
If you do not have a ball-joint press, you sometimes can beat the new balljoint in from the bottom if the hole is cleaned up. Use the nut to prevent thread damage. If that does not work then get a press before you ruin the new part.